IMLS News June 2021

Daring to Dig: New Exhibit Highlights Courageous Women in Paleontology The Paleontological Research Institution in Ithaca, New York, tells the inspiring stories of accomplished historical and contemporary women who were pioneers in the field of paleontology. Read More

NEWS

$2.2 Million in Grants to Strengthen Native American, Native Hawaiian Museum Services Announcing 26 grants to support Indian tribes and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians.

New 'Museums for Digital Learning' Site for K-12 Educators Launches IMLS joins its partners in announcing the launch of the Museums for Digital Learning website allowing museums to make curriculum resources available to K-12 educators and their students.

$3.2 Million in Museum Grants to Strengthen African American History and Culture Museum Grants for African American History and Culture support activities that build the capacity of African American museums and support the growth and development of museum professionals at African American museums.

President's FY 2022 Budget Request Includes $265 Million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services The President’s FY 2022 budget request includes $265 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services and recognizes IMLS’s critical programs and services.

DEADLINES

June 28: IMLS American Rescue Plan Grants The IMLS American Rescue Plan grants program supports museum and library services in addressing community needs created or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and in assisting with recovery.

FCC GRANT OPPORTUNITY

FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund Program to Provide $7.17 Billion to Close Homework Gap From June 29 to August 13, eligible schools and libraries can apply for financial support to purchase connected devices like laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connectivity for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons during the COVID-19 emergency period. During this application filing window, eligible schools and libraries, in addition to school/library consortia and Tribal libraries eligible for IMLS support, can submit requests for funding to purchase eligible equipment and services between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. More information about the program is available at emergencyconnectivityfund.org, including information about how to apply. Schools and libraries can sign up to receive programs updates and information about future training sessions. Help with program questions is also available by calling 800- 234-9781 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST. The $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund was established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will serve as the program’s administrator with FCC oversight.

EVENTS

July 12: Conversations with Crosby Join IMLS Director Crosby Kemper for a discussion with American novelist and professor of literature Francine Prose. An email invitation is forthcoming. For more information about upcoming events, please subscribe to email updates or check the IMLS event page.

Aug 24: National Medals Virtual Ceremony Join IMLS Director Crosby Kemper at 4pm ET for a one-hour ceremony honoring the six National Medal for Museum and Library Service recipients. Learn more about these amazing museums and libraries from their staff and the community members who engage with them.

Sept 17-26: National Book Festival The Library of Congress has announced the 2021 National Book Festival, which promises an exciting experience throughout the extended 10-day virtual festival.

IMLS "On the Road"

June 23: 2021 Serious Play Online Conference - Supervisory Grants Management Specialist Helen Wechsler will present the session “Federal Funding for Educational Games.” June 23-29: ALA Annual Conference - On-demand sessions featuring IMLS staff: Show Me the Money: Tips for Writing Successful IMLS Grant Applications – Senior Program Officer Jill Connors-Joyner and Senior Program Officer Sarah Fuller. The Impact of the CARES Act on Library Services Through IMLS Grants - Associate Deputy Director, Discretionary Programs Anthony Smith and Senior Program Officer Madison Bolls Modernization of IMLS Grant Program Evaluation and Monitoring Capabilities - Associate Deputy Director, Discretionary Programs Anthony Smith and Supervising Social Scientist Matt Birnbaum, Associate Deputy Director - State Programs Teri DeVoe, Program Specialist Maeve Coudrelle, Program Specialist Laura McKenzie, and Administrative Specialist Lisa Solomson.   June 26: ALA: Realms of Possibility - A live conversation with ALA President Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., and IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. June 28: Knight Libraries Funder Panel - IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. July 15: Visitor Studies Conference (virtual) - Supervisory Grants Management Specialist, Helen Wechsler and Director of Grants Policy and Management, Connie Bodner will present a Q&A session on IMLS evaluation requirements and performance measures. July 28-Aug 1: 11th National Conference of African American Librarians (NCAAL) - Deputy Director for Library Services Cyndee Landrum and Senior Program Officer Sarah Fuller.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.   IMLS News  Brief articles alert readers to new information about grants, monthly highlights of best practices, and important agency news with links to more detailed information on the website. Past and current issues of the newsletter and subscription information are available on our website.

CONNECT WITH IMLS

‌ ‌